Dimbola Lodge was the home of the celebrated Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron. Saved from the bulldozers literally at the last minute, Dimbola has since been described as an “unexpected delight” and the “best kept secret on the Isle of Wight”.

There’s a lot to see at Dimbola, from a permanent exhibition of Julia Margaret Cameron’s work, to a changing programme of contemporary photography and arts exhibitions, not forgetting an exhibition showcasing the history of the IOW pop festival and also the Jimi Hendrix ‘Purple Haze’ garden.

There is also a small gift shop where you can buy a memento of your visit, artistic prints and locally hand made bags and jewellery. There is also the opportunity to take a free photograph of yourself in the Olympus costume room! Here visitors can experience first hand the recreation of a Victorian studio. You are invited to dress up and take photographs of yourselves, friends and family using the latest Olympus camera and printer equipment.

Dimbola is also home to the Cameron Tearooms which is renowned for its high quality locally sourced food, homemade cakes, delicious cream teas and traditional Sunday lunches. The tearoom is available to hire for private parties and also houses many of Dimbola’s special events, from small music concerts and Open Mic nights to its very own tearoom exhibitions featuring local artists, which you can view for free whilst enjoying a cup of tea. Dimbola occasionally has a changing programme of creative courses – from life drawing with local artist Barry Ecuyer to creative days with local professionals from various disciplines. For all of those budding photographers out there, Dimbola has a dark room and studio available to hire.

For more information please call Dimbola Museum and Galleries.

‘Coming up’ section:

01.04.11 – 26.06.11 ‘Dark Chamber’

A new exhibition of pinhole photography. The exhibition brings together a selection of photographs by Billy Childish, Nhung Dang, Wolf Howard and Dave Wise.

13.05.11 – Silent Auction & Open Evening. 7pm – 10pm

Dimbola will be hosting a major fundraising event with high quality items from local artists, designers and generous donators. For more information on all events contact kimberley.piggott@dimbola.co.uk